Not many people talk about road bike spokes, but they are actually a very important component. However, information on spokes is extremely scarce, and it's easy to assume that there isn't much difference in performance. That's simply not true. Although spokes are a part where cost reduction is possible, we at ICAN never cut corners. We will show you why now.

The Evolution of Spokes

Spokes have evolved with the wheel. In the era of horse-drawn carriages, spokes were made of wood. This was also done to improve strength and reduce weight. As for automobiles, until the early 60s, steel spoke wheels were a symbol of lightness and high performance. Spoke wheels were used in renowned sports cars such as Ferrari, Maserati, and Jaguar. Eventually, the mainstream for automobiles shifted to lightweight aluminum wheels. In contrast, bicycle spoke wheels have remained mainstream to this day. This method is suitable for bicycles, which have large diameters and do not carry heavy loads. This can be seen from the fact that spokes are still mainstream for road racing bikes.

Desired Elements for Spokes

Bicycles are human-powered, so there are limits to the force that can be applied. To efficiently transmit pedal power to the wheels, bicycles must be lightweight. This is especially true for wheels, and spokes must also be lightweight. In addition, the intense movements of rotation and forward motion put a lot of strain on the wheels, so they must be strong. Spokes also need to be strong. Furthermore, for road bikes, good aerodynamics are also required.

These things may seem obvious, but they are often overlooked when it comes to spokes. Our ICAN engineers searched for spokes that would be worthy of ICAN wheels. As a result, we adopted the three types of spokes we will discuss below. They are all excellent products that combine lightness, strength, and aerodynamic performance.

DT AERO 35 Carbon Wheels with Aero Spokes

CN Mac 494 Aero Spoke

Few people will recognize the spoke manufacturer name CN. However, your wheels may also use CN spokes. CN is a long-established company with over 50 years of history, which means it has a tremendously large advantage due to its accumulated technology. As you can see in the photo, the CN Mac 494 spoke has a flat aerodynamic cross-section. Almost all current aero spokes conform to this shape.

CN produces high-quality spokes at an unbelievable price. A large part of the reason why ICAN wheels are low-priced and high-quality is due to CN. Although not as famous as Sapim (which we will introduce later), if CN continues to produce spokes of the quality of Mac494, the situation will change dramatically. These spokes are used in ICAN's entry-level products.

PILLAR AERO 1432 Aero Spoke

PILLAR is a Taiwanese company that has been supplying spokes to bicycle manufacturers worldwide for 30 years. It ships over 1 million products every month. Like CN, they may secretly be used in your bicycle.

Pillar has carved its own path in the bicycle industry and holds many patents for its products. A prime example of this is the AERO1432. Through a cold forging process, its strength has been increased by 20%. The quality of forged products goes without saying. It is also noteworthy that it was developed through wind tunnel experiments to enhance the aerodynamic resistance of the spokes.

Sapim CX-Ray Aero Spoke

2020 50mmCarbon Wheels with Aero Spokes

The Sapim CX-Ray is a superstar in the spoke world. This product is the goal for many rivals. One of the reasons Sapim leads the industry so much is its more than 100 years of history. Its accumulated excellent technology contributes to the improvement of our ICAN products. CX-Ray is the pinnacle of aero spokes. It is wonderfully lightweight, stiff, and more durable than any other spoke. This spoke is used in ICAN's higher-end series, such as FL, Aero, and DT. The best spokes in every sense.

As we have seen, ICAN wheels carefully select and use the best spokes for each price range. No matter which wheelset you choose, you will find spokes that offer the best cost performance. ICAN's engineers are stubborn and meticulous. They will never agree to release products they are not satisfied with.

When purchasing new carbon wheels, consult all available information to make the best choice. As fellow cycling enthusiasts, ICAN is delighted to share information to help you with this. Please feel free to ask any questions or make inquiries. We will provide the most comprehensive answers possible.

Click here for a list of bicycle articles

Road Bike Brakes ① Rim Brake Edition

Road Bike Brakes ② Disc Brake Edition

ICAN AERO40 Carbon Wheels - Jonny Pink's Enthusiastic Review!

Chinese Carbon Wheel Buying Guide

Basic Knowledge of Bicycle Wheels

Are Cheap Disc Brake Wheels Any Good? [Reasons to Avoid Cheap Ones]

[Aluminum is the only choice for city riding] What types of bicycle frames are there?